Care: The most important game we've played

This game was more consequential for us than I think anybody anticipated. We knew going in this was going to be more "scrimmage" than try-hard game. And it was. But we were able to get backups valuable time playing with and against starters, on both sides of the ball.

Sayin clearly needs more time with the younger receivers on the team, but this time was invaluable to help them get live reps and figure out what they need to work on. And the same goes for backup defenders like Devin Sanchez who looked bad but in a low-risk scenario against the starting offense of UCLA.

The amount of time our backups got on the field in this game is going to pay huge dividends down the road as the season goes on.

Don't Care: Statistical narratives

A list of a few things that got hammered this game:

1) Jeremiah Smith's per-game stats. 2) Julian Sayin's completion percentage storyline (he was "so bad" at only 74% tonight). 3) OSU player Heisman campaigns: they were a longshot anyways and Sayin has a chance with a huge game against Michigan and in the CCG but our experimentation today was more valuable that keeping those campaigns in top form.

We used this game for educational and experiential purposes. That is far more important than propping up the numbers of our players.

Care: Offensive Line Success

Disclaimer: this may very well be a result of an atrocious UCLA rush defense, and overall defense.

Give me all of the O-line with Gabe VanSickle at RG. When he was in we moved the ball at will. Tegra still had his multiple lapses in execution, but GVS was sustaining blocks and making it to the second level repeatedly. He was a stud. I need to rewatch the whole game to really see how he did but he impressed me whenever I was looking.

If he's our guy, they need to start him against Rutgers to give him that time. Tegra isn't it.

Care: Running Back Swag

Our guys ran hard today. The blocking was improved which helped but they were getting yards after contact consistently, and the explosive runs were awesome. We had over 200 yards rushing and credit to the young guys for really showing out.

There are things that need cleaned up, especially blitz pickups...our guys need time in Mick's dojo to take on linebackers, but they looked very good tonight. The RB room has a bright future.

Don't Care: Backup D looks like Backups

Our backup defense looks...like a bunch of guys who haven't played a lot of football. Patricia has a ton of coaching notes from this game which is awesome. Our backups played the UCLA starters for a significant amount of time and their growing pains were obvious.

But that's why we're lucky we have a team good enough to blow out another team so they can get on the field and learn these things. The best way to learn is under live fire and they did just that tonight.